Following its recent Expansion, Kisumu International Airport is branching out to handle fresh produce with the inaugural flight scheduled for January 8.
Located on Kenya’s Lake Victoria region the airport encompasses cargo handling facility and cold storage facilities through Public Private Partnerships (PPP).
The Kisumu Lakefront Development Corporation (KLDC) Chairman FCPA Edward Ouko said farmers and fishermen in Kisumu and the lake region were set to benefit immensely through the new development.
“The development gives hope to farmers and fishermen in this area and signals a pragmatic approach to cooperation, grounded in the priorities of the Kenyan Government at the national and regional levels,” he said.
The Cold Storage facility owned by a local investor will go a long way in enabling the airport to establish a full-fledged Cargo Division and Cold Chain Logistics.
Farmers are expected to venture into value addition and fish processing to tap into existing markets locally and internationally.
Among the commodities earmarked for export from the airport include avocados, fish, chilies, pepper, mangoes, pineapples, peanuts, traditional green vegetables and organic beef.
“This is set to give us a global competitive advantage because of our unique regional position,” Ouko noted.
Ready for ‘Fresh’ Business
The ongoing works at the airport targets the passenger tower building to handle one million passengers per year up from the current 500,000.
Last year, the national government allocated KSh 1.2 billion (USD 10.5 million) to expand Kisumu International Airport.
This project will have significant economic and social benefits through increased tourism, new employment opportunities, and improved access to international flights.
Ethiopian Airlines and Qatar Airways have already expressed interest in flying direct to Kisumu International Airport once the cargo handling facility is completed.
The expansion is expected to be completed by April this year.
